Chapter 5 : "Are you Luke's friend?"

Chapter 5 : "Are you Luke's friend?"

“Ok, I will see you tomorrow. '' Luuk hid his inner excitement. A part of him was very happy Luke wanted to stay with Tess so desperately that he agreed instantly when he proposed the idea. Knowing Luke wouldn't back off from the plan, Luuk was rest assured he didn't have to contort a plan to convince him.

“Okay! My regards to mother.” Luke replied excitedly. In his mind he already drafted a plan on the joyous days he will spend with his mother. He packed his personal credit card in a wallet and placed an order for a cloth he and Luke had agreed to wear to avoid suspicion.

He begged Luke for a photo of mother but the irresponsible lad didn't have a single photo of their mother. Luke's eyes twitched with anger from the recollection. “ If I was the one living with mother, I would take numerous photos of her. Unlike that cold lad.” He clicked his tongue.

Luuk sat on his reading desk, working on his computer to place the order for his clothes when he suddenly sneezed. He had a weird hunch that someone was speaking bad about him like Tess always says “people sneeze when others are talking bad about them.” Usually he would roll his eyes and call her superstitious.

After settling the orders and fixing an agreement to have the clothes delivered before 9am, Luke went downstairs quickly to avoid Tess’s suspicion.

Halfway down the stairs, his stomach grumbled from the sweet scent of Asian food that wafted through his nostrils.

“I heard that. ” Tess laughed heartily, proud and satisfied that her food broke through Luke’s usually quiet and calm demeanor. No matter how hard he tried, his little doe eyes sparkled at the sight of the food spread across the table and he gulped subconsciously.

“The food will not run, son. ” Tess teased. “Take a seat.” She pulled the chair closest to her and beckoned for him to sit there after which she served him his food.

Luke was accustomed to Tess’s display of affection, he sat down patiently as she moved her hands quickly to serve him.

“Here, there's more if it's not enough so eat slowly. ”

“mmh.” Luuk’s face burned from embarrassment. He buried his face in his food to avoid being teased further by Tess.

Tess noticed and smiled, her eyes burned with tender love. The peace and harmony isn't lacking even in the absence of a father figure. She loved that for her little family.

….

In Ruben's villa.

Ruben stood by the gas cooker, stirring a pot of stew with a metallic spoon.

The fluorescent light at the middle of the kitchen counter shone on his manly frame. He was wearing a thin white shirt and a blue apron wrapped around his thin muscular waist, accentuating his healthy body frame. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing his thick veiny strong hands, one glance and any woman would be salivating at the sight.

As he loves eating Asian style plenty of protein, he prepared eggs, smoked fish, Tofu stew and Chinese fried rice. He got his culinary skills from his grandmother.

She learnt to cook Asian food and even had a certificate of culinary. Literally a certified chef. She raised him from as little as 2 years old, so he had always been with her when she was cooking and assisting with various tasks. Sadly he moved out when he turned twenty.

“Luke, Luke come down for dinner. ” Ruben beckoned towards Luke’s room.

Shortly after, Luke ran down the stairs “I'm comminggg.” Luke literally sprinted all the way down the stairs, twirling like a princess when he hit the last stairs.

“Y-you?” Ruben's eyes widened in shock. “What's wrong? Are you fine?” He asked, picking little Luke into his arms.

“Father I’m fine, I-I just want to ask for something.” Luke had an aggrieved expression on his face in contrast to the giddy face he had when he came down the stairs.

“What's wrong?” Ruben asked carefully but still suspicious.

“Can we go to the park tomorrow? It's a private park so it's definitely safe, Father. “ Luke used his trump card,” Father.” He noticed Ruben's expression softened whenever he heard the word Father.

“But-”

“Father! I- I just want to have a fun day alone with you… is that bad? We… we have never had fun together… I study at home and never have the chance to meet people my age...and mother… "At this point, a streak of tears fell off Luke's little round face. He looked so pitiful, his cheeks were slightly red, tears kept falling nonstop. “Bad father.” He pushed Ruben's chest lightly and pouted his lips, looking wronged.

Ruben's heart softened instantly. Truth to be told, he had a very important appointment the next day but he decided to cancel it immediately.

The purpose of the Father-Son trip to the villa was to bond and if he bails on this park trip, he's afraid he would never be able to make it up to Luke. It's the first time Luke has ever asked him for a favor and even more a special time together.

He let his guard down so much, he didn't notice the series of strange things that happened. He just thought of it as the trip paid off. Just five days into their moving to the villa and they've made so much progress in repairing their relationship. He had never felt so happy.

“Fine, what time do they open?” Ruben said enthusiastically, trying to match the excitement of a little kid. His lips arched into a smile.

“ 10am, thank you father!” Luke said excitedly.

Ruben sat Luke on the dining chair closest to him. He had already served his plate and the duo began to eat quietly. Each of their hearts filled to the brim with expectations and excitement for the next day.

Luke couldn't wait to see his pretty mother, he wondered what it would be like to hug her, what her food tasted like, her favorite color, favorite drink and hobbies. Ruben is pretty bland, apart from cooking, working and reading, he doesn't do much. Luke got his friendly personality from living with Ruben's grandmother all through his childhood until he turned four.

At first he was convinced Ruben abandoned him. The father he had never seen for four years since his birth, suddenly came to take him in on a rainy day. Ruben did pay occasional visits to his grandparents' place but never asked to see Luke. Luke only saw his back everytime and his stern voice devoid of warmth when addressing or admonishing the workers.

They grew distant even after Luke moved into Ruben’s mansion with Britt. Those were the worst days for the little child.

Ruben watched Luke eat quietly, for unknown reasons he ate more than usual and even demanded for more food. The first time Ruben cooked for Luke, he threw up after Britt had told him Ruben cooked the food. Ruben's face grew grave and red with anger. He spoke harshly and Luke ran away from home. It took a lot of effort to find him.

Recalling the sour memories, Ruben reflected inwardly, he had been a bad father. He promised himself to work harder to be a father Luke can be proud of and jovial with.

…

Luuk woke up as soon as the clock hit six-thirty. He got off his bed, arranged the sheets and sent a reminder text to the seller, making enquiries about his order.

He had an agreement with Luke previously to discuss and go over the plan once again.

“Hey” Luuk sent a text at exactly six thirty-seven.

He waited for five minutes, when he got no reply he texted again. “Hey, are you asleep?”

In his little mind, he thought, “what kind of person sleeps later than six-thirty, then again, mother wakes up at noon whenever she's off work and during work days, i always have to wake her on time.”

Shaking his head at the thought of the mother and son duo, Luuk decided to place a call since it was important.

The phone rang for about five seconds before the call went through.

Out of habit, Luuk stayed silent, waiting for the drowsy tone of a six year old spoiled child but to his surprise, a husky manly tone wafted through the speakers.

“Hello. ” Ruben spoke clearly but his voice still had the deep effect women go crazy for in a man's morning voice.

Luuk’s eyes widened slightly in shock. He paused, cursing his brother inwardly for sleeping in Ruben's room when they had a secretive plan to carry out.

He didn't know what to do so he just stayed on the line, quiet.

His eyes held a tinge of longing though.

Over the night, Luuk did various research about Ruben and his multi-billionaire company. He looked through all the sites he could find and he was very proud of Ruben and his achievements. Ruben's intelligence in an interview Luuk watched swept him off his feet.

As expected from his father, and although his mother was equally just as smart, Luuk felt a special connection with Ruben, most especially because of their keen interest in Artificial intelligence. He figured they would make a good team.

“Hello?” Ruben said again but now with less pressure in his voice. “Are you Luke’s friend? “ The number was saved as “Moon” on Luuk’s phone which is a rather intimate way of saving someone's number.

The reasoning behind the nickname little Luke tried so hard to think of was that Luuk means “bright one” and Luke means “Light giving”

With Luke being the eldest of the twin by default due to his height and a silent agreement between them according to Luke. It can be easily interpreted as the relationship between the sun at day and the moon at night.

The sun gives light to the moon and the moon brightens the world at night.

Luuk sensed the warmth in Ruben's voice. He panicked and ended the call. He decided not to send another text, he couldn't say for sure if the phone was unlocked and if Ruben had a nosy habit, he could peer into Luke’s phone and their secret will be exposed.

Luuk said a silent prayer and promised in a corner of his mind to teach Luke a lesson if it all turns out well.

….

Ruben dropped the phone by Luke's bed rest after the call ended abruptly. He thought it couldn't have been a call placed by mistake since Luke had the number saved. He could only assume it was a friend of Luke’s who was terrified because he picked the call.

He placed a kiss on Luke's forehead and headed for his working space.

He dialed his assistant, Thomas's number to give him instructions on renting out the entire park for the day to surprise Luke.

“Hello, have you heard of Shalom private Park? In ten minutes I'll be expecting a detailed report on the location and background. Also, 10 physical bodyguards stationed there by 10am today and 25 shadow bodyguards. Discuss with the manager of the park and pay for a full day rent, it shouldn't be difficult since it's a private park. Take care of all necessary food and snacks arrangements. Less ice cream, fast food and more fruits and smoothies...” Ruben gave out a series of instructions but on second thought, he took a pause and imagined Luke's aggrieved and tear streaked face in the absence of ice cream and all the junk he loved to eat at his great grandmother's.

“Leave the ice cream and junk...But minimal, minimal...in moderation.”

“Okay, young master.” Thomas was a bit confused but didn't dare to voice his questions. He could vaguely tell the preparations were for Luke, seeing the young master willing to bend his no junk rules for Luke, It seemed like their relationship got a lot better.

As expected, within ten minutes, Ruben got a detailed report on the park. Seeing that it was a safe environment for Luke, he ordered Thomas to carry on with the rent for a day and other preparations.

Ruben held his hands behind his head, leaning back on his work chair in a relaxed posture, a smile danced at the corner of his lips.

He couldn't wait to see the smile and pride on Luke’s face when he breaks the news of having the park to themselves for the day. He was sure Luke would shower him with hugs and adoration.